Chapter 226, I’m No Qi Refining Cultivator!

Translator: Tamon

 

Creaking joints meant the cartilage was wearing out from friction. When cultivators used strength, they did so through spiritual power and not muscles. The creaking joints meant his shield was down and now he had to rely on his body to move.

 

[To think this guy’s body, wait, it’s the same move he used on Fa Xiong!]

 

Wang Qi’s puch was nothing to write home about. Although when there was no clear disparity in ability, real power beating any trick was a universal truth. Sun Sheng was dead certain that if he was struck, death would be the result.

 

He wasn’t just an all bark and no bite kind of guy. On the contrary, he had been in many fights, pushing him to take this decisive step back.

 

At the safe distance of three meters, Sun Sheng found his chance, and his fighting spirit rose. A green shield sprung up as spiritual power came from his forehead’s acupoint.

 

It was all to block Wang Qi’s assault, but Sun Sheng’s eyes widened as he looked ahead. Wang Qi was right before him, while the previous punch he threw, while not at its peak strength, didn’t leave a scratch on Wang Qi.

 

[So fast!]

 

[No way! Why is he so fast?]

 

Wang Qi still bore the same smile.

 

Spiritual power aside, the body determined a person’s strength and speed. Celestial Hymn Odyssey’s temporary quantum field strengthened his body’s chemical bonds and gave him a hefty boost, a boost that impacted toughness and tenacity.

 

Part of spiritual power worked on the body itself, while the other made sure to spike his force’s energy level. Unlike the common usage, this strengthening was countless times more efficient.

 

Bang!

 

Wang Qi’s hook struck like an opportunistic viper, finding a crack in Sun Sheng’s defense and landing on his rib.

 

“Ugh!” The blow to the chest made Sun Sheng black out for a split second. But Evolution Chart’s main trait was survival, keeping him awake and still in the game as he used the punch’s force to retreat.

 

Then he arched his legs and sprung up, revealing a greater speed his normal peers had.

 

He used the same attack as before, a straight punch.

 

Against a Heavenly Spirit Range cultivator using absolute strength among his peers, punches and kicks were the best tactic. Sun Sheng, having been in countless fights, had definite proof this was the right choice.

 

Alas, he was up against Wang Qi. The boost allowed him to stand on equal ground in terms of strength, not to mention being backed by superior skills.

 

Wang Qi’s response was the same, to punch. With a muffled sound, the two punches collided and let out constant bangs above them.

 

Wang Qi’s empty eyes revealed no clue what he was thinking or what he was after. Book of Geometry was fast in figuring out the trajectory of Sun Sheng’s punches, helping him fend off the storm of strikes.

 

Sun Sheng gnashed his teeth, pushing his body to give him every drop of strength. Even so, he was still coming up short in this clash of raw power. The high-speed counters used against him were beginning to inflict damage. Sun Sheng felt the pain in his hands’ bones growing with every exchange.

 

At this rate, he’d end up with shattered hands!

 

Wang Qi thought, [Guess this is it.]

 

“Such flimsy strength, even less than a tenth of Senior Sister Ai’s. Speed? Ha! Who are you kiddin’? You think your feeble fist skills can match the weirdness of that broad’s tentacles?”

 

Wang Qi’s condescending look told Sun Sheng one thing: [He’s holding back!]

 

Sun Sheng considered changing tactics, to stall, finding Evolution Chart’s recovery to be the best way to handle this. But Wang Qi gave an evil smirk. “Weak, weak, weak!”

 

The punch’s power grew by a third.

 

“Agh!” The joints in Sun Sheng’s hand couldn’t take the punishment as they creaked harder. He jumped back and used his right to reset his dislocated left arm.

 

Wang Qi didn’t press his advantage, leaning back into a most grandstanding pose, his left hand holding hid forehead while his right pointed at Sun Sheng. “No matter how strong, you’ll still be within Qi Refining limits, you fool! As for yours truly, I’ve long surpassed it all thanks to an ingenious strengthening.”

 

“You rotten piece of… Ha~!” Sun Sheng wasn’t one to turn the other cheek to insults, his fury spiking at the obnoxious display of mockery, ignoring all strategy and just lunging to take Wang Qi down.

 

Rage worked in Evolution Chart’s favor, strengthening it. Life never had a peaceful existence. Sun Sheng’s fury was just what Evolution Chart needed to advance, taking his strength to greater heights.

 

Towards his opponent, who looked to be on drugs, Wang Qi smiled brighter, his mockery more insufferable. “I’ve surpassed Qi Refining and am invincible! This examination is mine to dominate!”

 

“Bastard!!!”

 

“My dear Sun Sheng, there’s a limit to Qi Refining’s strength. In our brief match I’ve come to learn an interesting fact. You, Sun Sheng, the more you yearn for victory, the angrier you get, and the worse your chances become of beating yours truly, unless you overcome Qi Refining Realm.”

 

“Despicable!”

 

“I reckon that as long as one overcomes humanity’s inherent rage, one finally can stand at the top—just my opinion. Which is why you lose…”

 

“Ugh…”

 

Under the double assault on his body and mind, Sun Sheng broke down. The moment tears fell, his aura collapsed. He might be poised to strike, but the weak punch could be shrugged off by a child. Sun Sheng sobbed as he punched Wang Qi’s chest. “You… damn… banished immortal…”

 

Wang Qi came to a sudden realization about the weird vibe around him. Looking about at the silent crowd, his scalp tingled.

 

[How the hell did a seinen manga end up with the feel of a bl manga? Artist, the drawing is out of whack!]

 

“You… bastard…” If being outclassed by someone in the same field wasn’t bad enough, his adversary still wore the same ‘small-fry’ look all the time he was beaten down. Sun Sheng crumbled to his knees before Wang Qi’s dark determination.(Tamon: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure reference.)

 

It took the judge some time to stop making a weird face and announce Wang Qi’s win.